BBC In Concert 22nd November 1978 (Live)

Album review

Magazine's debut LP was just beginning to gather dust in the bins when they played the Paris Theatre gig documented here. Weeks prior to the November 1978 show, the band's lineup had been improved by the replacement of the flat drumming Martin Jackson in favor of the more dextrous John Doyle. Though the band's first two singles and subsequent LP immediately introduced a post-punk band with a complex and open-minded sound, BBC Radio 1 Live shows that Howard Devoto's nervy band was more than capable of pulling off their studio magic on stage. Little is lacking in the performance, but the mix is pretty shaky in spots. Dave Formula's wild keyboard antics all but drown out John McGeoch's guitar during most of the proceedings, which is a shame; while it's true that a prime characteristic of Magazine's sound was indeed Formula's flashy work, McGeoch's guitar playing was equally vital. Barry Adamson's thick and propulsive bass is thankfully present from beginning to end, and Howard Devoto's vocal performance is strong and as clear as a bell. Doyle seems to have picked up on the band's material quite quickly, too. Though quality fare, it's no substitute for the band's studio work. Strictly diehard fodder.

© Andy Kellman /TiVo